Musculoskeletal Trauma. a Guide to Assessment and Diagnosis

Description

This book systematically guides members of the multidisciplinary team managing patients with musculo-skeletal trauma through the diagnostic process from mechanism of injury through clinical presentation, physical assessment, and requesting and interpreting imaging examinations, including alternative imaging modalities, to the formulation of a diagnosis, development of management/treatment plans and possible patient referral options. It is planned as an easily accessible text for all health care practitioners working within the trauma enviornment providing a coherent, logical and informative guide to best practice. Understanding all aspects of the dignostic process in musculoskeletal trauma enables all practitioners to better contribute to the patient care pathway. It also enhances team communication and collaboration, building positive professional relationships, which in turn enhance service delivery and ensure optimum patient care.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction (4000 words)
a. Background to trauma diagnosis
b. Value of knowledge of full patient pathway
c. Value of multi-disciplinary team working
d. Purpose of book – intended use
e. Value of systematic approach

2. Clinical (physical) examination and assessment (5000 words)
a. Discussion of generic assessment process
b. ‘look, feel, move’ approach
c. Development of management / treatment plans

3. Radiographic referral (4000 words)
a. Radiation protection
b. Professional accountability and responsibility
c. How to write an imaging referral
d. Referral processes – card, a&e notes, computerised

4. Radiographic examination (5000 words)
a. Principles of radiographic technique
b. Radiographic equipment in AE
c. Commonly experienced patient difficulties
i. Artefacts
ii. Patient condition
iii. Patient age
d. Common technical difficulties
i. Viewing Digital images
ii. Exposure factors

5. Radiographic interpretation – the basics (5000 words)
a. Reviewing the radiograph
b. Relating anatomy to radiographic appearances
c. How to describe appearances
d. Terminology

6. Clinical Decision making (3000 words)
a. Making a diagnosis - how it all fits together
b. Referral to other imaging modalites
c. Referral to other medical specialties
d. Next steps

Chapters 8-20 will follow format indicated in detail in proposed chapter 7

7. Fingers & thumb (4000 words)
a. Anatomy
b. Mechanism of injury
c. Clinical presentation and appearances
d. Physical examination and assessment
e. Radiographic referral – what to request and why
f. Radiographic examination and technique including role of alternative imaging modalities
g. Radiographic appearances and interpretation
h. Clinical decision making and patient discharge / referral
i. Summary – important concepts
(all chapters will take account of important factors relating to patient age (young and old), growth and development)

8. Wrist (4000 words)
9. Elbow and forearm (4000 words)
10. Humerus and shoulder (4000 words)
11. Thoracic cage (4000 words)
12. Spine (7000 words)
a. Cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral
13. Pelvis (4000 words)
14. Hip & Femur (4000 words)
15. Knee (4000 words)
16. Ankle and lower leg (5000 words)
17. Foot and Toes (4000 words)
18. Skull (& brain injury) (2000 words)
19. Facial bones (3000 words)
20. Foreign bodies (2000 words)

21. Professional development (3000 words)
a. Education, development and audit

Author Information

Edited by Maryann Hardy and Beverly Snaith